The average price of a regular gallon of gas is hovering around $3.65, and if the increase in a state gas tax moves forward, drivers said their wallets will also be empty.

“It’s crazy. When is the end going to be in sight?” said driver Bill Hoover.

State lawmakers said the revenue will be used to repair and maintain 1,600 miles of state roadways and bridges.

The increase will be in increments, officials said, starting with 4 cents in 2014, and then and addition 4 cents the following year and so on.

At present, drivers pay 18 cents per gallon in state taxes, but with the proposed increases, they will be paying more than 30 cents.

“We’re in trouble if that’s what happens. People, not all of us have tons of money, and that’s why we can’t do anything anymore,” said Erin Fitz, of Manchester.

A committee has given the thumbs up to the bill, but state lawmakers are torn. Supporters said the millions of dollars in revenue will only be earmarked for roads and bridges, and not go toward anything else. Opponents, like Sen. Chuck Morse, of Salem, said a tax increase will cripple the economy.

"I think when people start to realize what this tax is going to do to them individually, it can do a lot of harm to the economy because we heard that's it's going to hurt disposable income in New Hampshire. That came out today from a professional who spoke to the committee," said Morse.

An alternative is to move forward with casinos in the state, which also creates a divide.

"I wouldn't necessarily say gambling is better than, you know, raising the prices and taxes," said Kerri Mollan, of Manchester.